In 1997 I had moved from Southern California to Florida. I had never had any skin problems, acne or any form of dermatitis.
After moving to Florida I developed different problems. A kind of acne on the scalp and upper neck, dry itchy rash behind the ears and rashes on neck and chest and dry itchy rash on the knees.
I had visited 5 Dermatologists and 3 allergists and they said it was unspecified dermititous and there was...

What difference a year makes. Last year I came to Davao to spend Christmas and New Years with Elena and her family.
At that time Elena’s mom was still alive even though she was bedridden from strokes and Alzheimer’s.
When I arrived there was already a lot of family here and by Christmas day the house was full with 23 people. Linda who is Elena’s sister-in-law with 2 of her 3 kids Jun Jun and Nadem. Then there was...

Last week friends of ours, Louis and Venice invited me, Elena and family to join them for a day trip to Paradise Island on Samal Island.
Samal Island is actually called The Island Garden City of Samal. It is just a short boat ride from Davao.
On Samal there are many resorts; one of the most famous is the Pearl Farms resort. We were just going to Paradise Island.
Even though Paradise Island has cottages for rent, we were just...

To all of you out there. Have a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Good Kwanza and for all a Happy, Safe, Healthy and Prosporous New Year.
As I spend my 2nd Christmas in Davao, I will remember last year returnig to Florida. This year there will be no sadness leaving my loving famly. I now will spend my life with them, seeing the younger members grow and develope into stronger and intelligent memebers of the community where ever...

Christmas in Davao has a lot of similarities and differences from America and I would guess the rest of the world.
Here in Davao as elsewhere a lot of homes and businesses have lights and decorations on display and you hear a lot of Christmas songs playing. You see salespeople wearing Santa hats and most people say to you “Merry Christmas”
One of the differences that is hard for me to get used to is the beggars. Most are...